Eastern Metropolitan Region
Dr BACH (Eastern Metropolitan) (12:56): (1609) Over recent days I have been engaging with an outstanding community advocate in Ringwood, Ms Cynthia Watson. Ms Watson is a long-time local councillor, former mayor and now the Liberal candidate for Ringwood. She has been engaging intensively there with small business owners like Mr Bill Halvagis, who owns Bean in the Woods in Ringwood Square. Like so many small business owners he has not only done it very tough through this period but has also given back to the community. Ms Watson was regaling me with tales about the wonderful program run by Mr Halvagis to provide free meals to people experiencing homelessness. Ms Watson is of the view, and I am also of the view, given that my broader electorate takes in Ringwood and Ringwood North, an area I know well, that there are specific issues affecting small businesses in Melbourne’s east that require a more nuanced approach. We have spoken recently in this place about greater support for small businesses in New South Wales, and my question is to the Minister for Small Business: what specific and nuanced support will she provide to small businesses in my electorate?